Bad news for Auburn Tigers fans on the eve of their Citrus Bowl game with the Northwest Wildcats. According to Matt Zenitz, AL.com, an Auburn standout Roger McCreary will not be available to play tomorrow.
A junior, McCreary, has recorded a total of 45 tackles, seven tackles for loss, six pass breakings and three interceptions in ten games this season. He was a former 247Sports three-star site from Mobile, Alabama.
Earlier in December Auburn Undercover spoke with Dane Brugler, an NFL draft analyst for The Athletic. Brugler thinks McCreary could make the leap to the NFL after this season if he wants to.
“I can see him doing that (now jumping to the NFL),” Brugler said. “I think he’s the most intriguing of this (Auburn) group.”
At 6 feet and less than 190 pounds, McCreary does not have an elite frame for a defensive back. But what he is not big for, he covers – literally – with his speed and technique.
“He’s a good athlete,” Brugler said. “I like how disciplined he is in his attitude. He trusts his speed so that he will push and carry receivers vertically; sometimes he will manage the routes better than the receiver. So, from what I’ve seen so far from McCreary, I’m very intrigued by what he might be on the next level. ”
McCreary locked up a draft pick on the second or third day except with his strong performance in 2020, and as Brugler said, an early exit from Auburn to leverage his accomplishments would not be a shock. The junior can still improve in some areas, although he has most subjects ticked off for a future NFL cornerback.
“I think he needs to get a little better with his trigger as a defender in the field,” Brugler said. ‘He needs to be a little more consistent in the area to read his keys and figure out what’s in front of him in the running game.
“But his ability to be an athlete and have some natural coverage skills is what’s great for me.”